R. W. Johnson

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R. W. Johnson (born 1943) is a British journalist, political scientist, and historian who lives in South Africa. Born Richard "Bill" William in England, he was educated at Natal University and Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar. He was a fellow in politics at Magdalen College, Oxford, for 26 years, and remains an emeritus fellow. His 2015 book ''Look Back in Laughter: Oxford's Postwar Golden Age'' is a memoir of his years at Magdalen, including his work with college president Keith Griffin to rescue the college's finances and buildings. In reviewing his memoirs, ''The Economist'' described Johnson as a "romantic contrarian liberal".

On his return to South Africa in 1995, Johnson became director of the Helen Suzman Foundation in Johannesburg until 2001. He has been a South Africa correspondent for the London ''Sunday Times'' and also written for the ''London Review of Books'' His articles for the ''LRB'' generally cover South African and to a lesser extent Zimbabwean affairs. In early March 2009, Johnson injured his left foot while swimming. It became infected with necrotizing fasciitis, and his leg was amputated above the knee. Provided by Wikipedia